Oh what a night! There's nothing like being in a foreign city when they are celebrating a special holiday! Lunar New Year, more commonly know as 'Tet', is the biggest and most celebrated festival in Vietnam. We feel lucky to be here for it!
The streets are adorned with hundreds, actually thousands of illuminated lanterns. My pictures really don't do it justice!
Every home/hotel/business proudly displays yellow flowers and an orange tree. It is believed that the more fruits or blossoms on the tree, the more prosperous the coming year will be for the family.
Along the river, there are more lanterns and a large stage is set for live music and entertainment. At 8:30 last night, many lanterns were set afloat on the river, each lit with a candle. There was such a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere that you didn't even notice the crowds growing throughout the night. As much as our kids desperately wanted to see the fireworks, I could tell they were getting pretty tired when they sat down at our feet, in the middle of the sidewalk, to rest for a while. So we headed back to our hotel and tucked them into bed. Exactly at midnight, we heard the *pops* of the fireworks and rushed out on our 4th story balcony to see not one but 3 firework shows around the city. They were absolutely spectacular! The entire 15 minute show was like our 'big finale moments' at home. Unfortunately, no amount of coercing would get the kids to wake up and come and see the show for themselves.
This morning, the first day of the New Year, the kids (and even us) are receiving 'lucky money' which is put inside of red envelopes. The color red, a symbol of good fortune and happiness, is seen everywhere.
Chuc Mung Nam Moi! (Happy New Year!)
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